Mask Off
Masculinity Redefined
Published on 20. September 2019
Book
Paperback/Softback
128 pages
978-0-7453-3874-3 (ISBN)
Description
What is masculinity? Dominating the world around us, with deadly gun violence, male suicide rates and incels on Reddit, masculinity is perceived to be 'toxic', 'fragile' and 'in crisis'.
In Mask Off, JJ Bola exposes masculinity as a performance that men are socially conditioned into. Using examples of non-Western cultural traditions, music and sport, he shines light on historical narratives around manhood, debunking popular myths along the way. He explores how LGBTQ men, men of colour, and male refugees experience masculinity in diverse ways, revealing its fluidity, how it's strengthened and weakened by different political contexts, such as the patriarchy or the far-right, and perceived differently by those around them.
At the heart of love and sex, the political stage, competitive sports, gang culture, and mental health issues, lies masculinity: Mask Off is an urgent call to unravel masculinity and redefine it.
In Mask Off, JJ Bola exposes masculinity as a performance that men are socially conditioned into. Using examples of non-Western cultural traditions, music and sport, he shines light on historical narratives around manhood, debunking popular myths along the way. He explores how LGBTQ men, men of colour, and male refugees experience masculinity in diverse ways, revealing its fluidity, how it's strengthened and weakened by different political contexts, such as the patriarchy or the far-right, and perceived differently by those around them.
At the heart of love and sex, the political stage, competitive sports, gang culture, and mental health issues, lies masculinity: Mask Off is an urgent call to unravel masculinity and redefine it.
Reviews / Votes
'An antidote to Jordan Peterson' -- Guardian 'An uncompromising, heartfelt and completely vital interrogation of this thing we call masculinity. Bubbling with new perspectives and major insights - this is the book about masculinity that we ALL need' -- Jeffrey Boakye, author of 'Black, Listed: Black British Culture Explored' 'A vital addition to books on masculinity. It is opening up conversations, whilst offering guidance towards joyful, emotional, non-violent masculinities' -- Bad FormMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (UK-trade)
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 8 mm
Weight
145 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7453-3874-3 (9780745338743)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Person
JJ Bola is a writer, poet and educator. He is the author of the novel No Place to Call Home (2017), as well as three poetry collections. He is one of the winners of the 2017 Spread the Word Flight 1000 Associates Prize.
Content
Acknowledgements
Introduction: Mask off: Being a man
1. Real men: Myths of masculinity
2. Gang signs & prayer: Male violence, aggression and mental health
3. What's love got to do with it?: Love, sex and consent
4. This is a man's world: The politics of masculinity, the masculinity of politics
5. If I were a boy: Gender equality and feminism
6. See you at the crossroads: Intersections of masculinity
7. It goes down in the DM's: Masculinity in the age of social media
8. Slamdunk the funk: Masculinity and sport
Conclusion: Man in the mirror: Transgression and transformation
Resources
Introduction: Mask off: Being a man
1. Real men: Myths of masculinity
2. Gang signs & prayer: Male violence, aggression and mental health
3. What's love got to do with it?: Love, sex and consent
4. This is a man's world: The politics of masculinity, the masculinity of politics
5. If I were a boy: Gender equality and feminism
6. See you at the crossroads: Intersections of masculinity
7. It goes down in the DM's: Masculinity in the age of social media
8. Slamdunk the funk: Masculinity and sport
Conclusion: Man in the mirror: Transgression and transformation
Resources